Horses are big animals known for their size and powerful presence. These creatures are often calm, intelligent, and harmless. Horses are prized for their elegant appearance, easygoing temperament, and muscular body types.
These heavy draught breeds are known as the biggest and strongest horses in the world. They were originally bred for farm work, carriage, and battle. Among these breeds, the Clydesdale, Percheron, Belgian Draft, and Suffolk tend to produce towering horses.
These varieties evolved as humans domesticated and cared for them, selecting specific traits for riding, work, and war. In Australia, the Australian Draught horse played a vital role in agricultural work, from towing barges to pulling family wagons.
Let’s explore the list of some of the tallest and most impressive horses, known for their wide chest, towering height, and being measured in hands—one hand equals 4 inches or 10 cm.
1. Shire Horse
Originating from Great Britain, the Shire horse holds the world record as the largest horse breed. The Shire breed is the tallest and has a strong and muscular build.
Stallions and mares are commonly found in black, grey, roan, brown, and chestnut colors. The average weight of a Shire is between 850kg to 1100kg. They have feathered legs and an easy-going temperament. Their life expectancy is 25 to 30 years, and their height typically ranges from 17 to 19 hands.
Biggest Horse Ever
In the 1920s, two Shires were named the strongest, as they transported a load of over 40 tons. In the past, their role included pulling giant carts of ale from breweries and working on farming tasks.
However, the number of Shires has decreased significantly due to increasing mechanization and modern transportation equipment. But in this modern era, many small farmers still prefer horses as an eco-friendly alternative to tractors for modernized farming.
The American Shire Horse Association is working hard to bring back this extinct breed, offering hope for their comeback.
2. Clydesdale Horse
The unique Clydesdale is famous worldwide because of the Budweiser ads that often feature these gentle giants. You can recognize it easily because of its large, white socks and extensive feathering on its legs.
Clydesdales originate from Scotland with a usual height between 16 to 18 hands and a weight of around 1,800 to 2,000 pounds. Their life expectancy ranges from 20 to 25 years.
These horses are commonly found in bay coats with white markings on their feet, legs, and face, while some may have markings under the belly. With notable characteristics including a broad forehead, long arched neck, and silky feathery legs, these horses also come in black, grey, or chestnut.
Clydesdales are beautiful creatures known for their gentle yet energetic nature. They are favored for their trainability and easygoing temperament. Due to their flashy appearance, they are perfect for shows and parades.
3. Belgian Draft
The Belgian Draft is one of the most popular and largest horse breeds, known for being calm-natured and intelligent. This modern breed originates from Belgium, has a wide back and short body. Their feathered legs are similar to Clydesdales, and they are mainly used as carriage horses.
These horses have won many championships in the sphere of strength due to their incredible capacity to pull great weights.They are mostly used in forestry, farm work, and even pulling sledges.
The Belgian Draft usually weighs around 1,800 to 2,000 pounds. The life expectancy of this horse is around 17 to 24 years.
4. Percheron
The Percheron is the 4th largest horse breed, known for its elegant look and ability to mix well with other horses on a regular basis. It is one of the most popular heavier breeds that originates from the Perche region of France.
These horses were used for carrying knights into battle during the 17th century C.E., as they were initially bred for war. They are now used for farm work, pulling carriages, and forestry due to their strength, stamina, and muscular build.
These true heavyweight horses usually stand between 15 and 19 hands, weighing 1,800 to 2,600 pounds. Their arched neck, strong legs, and wide-neck build give them an impressive mix of power and grace.
The reliable and versatile Percheron has a great history, from transporting artillery and soldiers during wars to pulling stagecoaches in peacetime.
Owning a Percheron is a great feeling, but they also require a high-quality diet of hay and grain, ample space for exercise, and regular grooming to maintain their thick, shiny coats. Keeping their hooves clean and well-trimmed is essential for health.
5. Dutch Draft Horse
The Dutch Draft originates from the Netherlands and is admired for its wide neck, chunky body, and short legs. It is a heavier breed with small ears, small eyes, and an unusual appearance.
The Dutch Draft is known as a powerhouse due to its heavy labor ability. Its usual height ranges from 15 to 17 hands and it weighs between 1,500 to 1,700 pounds. The life expectancy of this breed is around 15 to 20 years.
This breed is reliable for performing heavy tasks like pulling plows, carts, and tackling hard farm work. Even today, Dutch horses are popular in farming, forestry, and pulling carriages during parades and events. It is also easy to handle because of its calm and gentle temperament.
To keep them energetic and healthy, you need to provide them with a proper diet of hay, grain, and fresh water.
6. Suffolk Punch Horse
Came from Suffolk, England, it is one of the oldest native breeds of draft horses. The Suffolk Punch originated from Great Britain during the 1500s. This horse is known for its unique chestnut color that sometimes features white markings on the face and legs.
The Suffolk Punch is a rare breed known for its rounded appearance, short, muscular legs, and dense bone. Its height is around 16 to 18 hands and its weight ranges from 1,900 to 2,200 pounds.
This breed is well-suited for draught work, forestry, and handling the muddy, swampy terrain of the British Isles due to its stability and short legs. The life expectancy of these horses ranges from 25 to 30 years.
It also requires relatively little food compared to other draft horses, making it easier to domesticate and maintain. These major attributes help these horses survive through challenging times, especially during their development in the 16th Century C.E. This breed was specifically bred for farm work.
However, due to the rise of machinery in farm work during the late 1940s, the number of these horses significantly reduced and they almost became extinct in the 1950s. The American Livestock Breeds Conservatory has marked their status as critical due to a downward curve in their population.
7. American Cream Draft
Some horses also have white markings that give them an elegant look. It was bred from a foundation mare named Old Granny, known for her champagne-colored coat, a defining trait.
Their calm and friendly nature make them gentle, manageable, and easy to train. Due to these qualities, these horses are ideal for farming, driving, and even shows and riding.
They are perfect for heavy farm work because they have a wide chest, short, strong back, and muscled hindquarters. Their height ranges from 15 to 16 hands, and they weigh around 1,600 to 1,800 pounds.
These horses are admired for their striking features and beautiful pink skin. However, like many other breeds, they have faced a sharp decline in number due to technologies and advancements in farm work. They usually have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years.